Around the System–Corner INF

The “Around the System” series is back as we start with corner infielders. Once or twice a week we will take a look at the players manning certain positions and rotate those positions throughout the year.

Chris McGuinness, 27, Signed as a free agent in 2015; .250/.355/.313 in 80 AB’s; 0HR 7RBI; 14%BB/12%K rates; .273 vs. LHP; .241 vs. RHP; .143 with RISP; .226 in last 10 games. 18 games at 1B with 1 error (.993); 8.44 R/F; Surprisingly little power thus far but with a high contact rate, things should improve.

Russ Canzler, 29, Re-Signed as a free agent in 2015; .307/.383/.416 in 101 AB’s; 1HR 6RBI; 11%BB/22%K rates; .276 vs. LHP, .319 vs. RHP; .208 with RISP; 15 games at 1B with 2 errors (.984); 3 games at 3B without an error; 2 games in the OF without an error; Canzler continues to be a multi dimensional, AAAA, player who can hit

Reading

Brock Stassi, 25, Phils 33rd round pick in 2011; .319/.390/.473 in 91 AB’s; 3HR 25RBI; 12%BB/12%K rates; .261 vs. LHP; .323 vs. RHP; .378 with RISP. 24 games at 1B without an error; 7.38 R/F. Stassi has been one of, if not the best clutch hitter in the organization through the first month of the season.

Art Charles, 24, Acquired from Toronto in 2013; .364/.412/.727 in 77AB’s; 5HR 18RBI; 8%BB/25%K rates; .333 vs. LHP; .369 vs. RHP; .360 with RISP; .395 in last 10 games. 11 games at 1B with 1 error (.990); 8.64 R/F. Charles has produced eye opening numbers in his first 77 AB’s this year. He has never produced for a prolonged fashion at this level so the next month should be very interesting.

Harold Martinez, Phils 2nd round pick in 2011; .275/.362/.450 in 40 AB’s; 1HR 6RBI; 13%BB/17%K rates; .400 with RISP; .417 vs. LHP; .208 vs. RHP; 9 games at 3B with 2 errors (.867); 1.44 R/F. Another very high draft pick that has been relegated to nothing more than reserve status, playing once or twice a week.

Clearwater

Zach Green, 21, Phils 3rd round pick in 2012; .173/.216/.221; 1HR 7RBI; 5%BB/25%K rates; .139 vs. LHP; .191 vs. RHP; .172 with RISP; 23 games at 1B without an error; 9.13 R/F; 2 games at 3B without an error. Just a miserable start to the season for Green who culminated his reason hitting woes with a broken wrist that will likely keep him out until at least late June.

Willans Astudillo, 23, Signed as a free agent in 2009; .311/.333/.402 in 122AB’s; 1HR 15RBI; 1%BB/5%K rates; .267 vs. LHP; .338 vs. RHP; .364 with RISP; .297 last 10 games; 10 games without an error at 1B; 8.60 R/F; 4 games at C with 1 error (.957); Threw out 4/7 base stealers (57%); Has also played 1 game at 3B and in the OF. Has continued to be one of the best hitters in the organization, but without power or a true position his value remains low.

Mitch Walding, 22, Phils 5th round pick in 2011; .208/.277/.267 in 101AB’s; 1HR 7RBI; 1/4 SB; 8%BB/23%K rates; .226 vs. LHP; .200 vs. RHP; .185 with RISP; .237 over last 10 games; 27 games at 3B with 7 errors (.923); 3.11 R/F. Has struggled both at the plate and in the field, not atypical for Walding in the Apil/May.

Lakewood

Rhys Hoskins, 22, Phils 5th round pick in 2014; .331/.409/.554 in 121 AB’s; 5HR 23RBI; 0/3SB; 8%BB/18%K rates; .226 vs. LHP; .367 vs. RHP; .375 with RISP; .326 last 10 games; 21 games at 1B with 2 errors (.993); 10.31 R/F. Hoskins has been one of the most consistent hitters in the organization thus far and I would expect him to land in CLearwater sooner rather than later.

Franco was just recalled. He’s needs to be commended. Lehigh Valley and the International League are not favorable hitting environments. Although it’s a SSS, he has show the precise growth we were hoping for. Good luck, Mikael; we’re sick of watching boring baseball.

Maikel Franco is pretty much the template for what the Phillies want to do with prospects. Franco does ok in 2014 in the minors, he gets a September callup to get his feet wet. He goes back to AAA to start and he takes what he learned and gets hot. After 40 days in the minors, he’s up for good (hopefully).

Stassi’s problem is where he plays. As a corner outfielder and first baseman his power is insufficient. The As would use his skills. (Is this what the comment above referred to?)
Charles is benefiting from playing in Reading. I’d like to see him play another month in Reading and see what he can do in LHV. His power and production are significant. If he is as bad as Pierre (not fine) in the field he will cost a lot of runs. Still seems iffy.
Alonso, older and injured, has the same power problem, but plays second base. It is tragic that he was injured on a dirty play.
Canzler can play third base as well as Henson. Both hit rather well, but not like Franco.
Hoskins should be in Clearwater. They have nobody better.
Is Green’s wrist broken? There was some uncertainty about this..